A few weeks ago we took Losena to Suva to go to the Temple and to work on her Visa for her mission to Zimbabwe.  It was our first time to the Temple since we've been on our mission.  What a beautiful Temple it is.  One unique thing about the Temple is that you take your shoes off before entering the Temple doors (a very Fijian thing to do.)

(these are our friends, the Perry's - they are on a mission doing Humanitarian Aid.  

We were with them in the MTC in Provo)

More mission calls

This is SO awesome - we have gotten six mission calls over the past few weeks.  So many great young men and women are leaving Fiji and going out to serve the Lord for two years.

These first two young men are:Tevita 

(on the left) who is going to a SUPER FANTASTIC MISSION:  the FIJI SUVA MISSION!!

The young man on the right is Elia who is going to another awesome mission: 

 Micronesia, Guam.

This young man is Aisake and he is going to the same continent as Losena is.  He is going to be serving in the South Africa, Durban Mission.  

This is Sailosa - he is going to the South Africa, Durban mission also -

So, that makes three (3) going to Africa so far...

This young woman - Penina is going to the Philippeans, Quezon City North Mission -

Since we have so many going on missions we have held a MISSION PREP DAY - the past two (2) Mondays where we watch "The District" Videos and have return missionaries come and speak to them about their own missions and MTC experiences.

It is such a wonderful feeling watching these young men and young women prepare themselves to go out and put their lives on hold so they can serve a full-time mission for the Lord.  We are so impressed with their examples, their desires, and their great faith!

We know they will make great missionaries as they go forth and serve.

Color Vata

Here in Fiji it's "COOL" to wear outfits in the same pattern.  It's called "Color Vata".  You will often see groups of people having the same dresses on, same ties, etc....  

For school, the kids all wear the same outfits, right down to their shoes and hair ties for the girls.  

So, at Zone Conference we get dresses or skirts, or shirts, and ties made in the same fabric.  Can you guess why?  It's called "UNITY".  They are big on unity here on our island.  

So, I thought I would post some pictures of some Color Vata so you could get a glimpse of part of our life.

These 2 Elders won the "cleanest flat award" so, I made them both matching ties.  They live in a village called Tukavesi - its very remote and in the bush.  They have no electricity, they go barefoot alot, and sometimes they dig up food from the ground and eat that for dinner.  

But, they LOVE IT!

Elder Hunkin (L) and Elder Reese (R)

This is us and Losena at the Temple.  I made a tie for Bob so we could all match.

In this photo are HUNDREDS of women from all over Fiji.  They are all Methodists and are having a Women's Conference at the rugby arena.  

They are all wearing WHITE.  

That was quite a day - to see all those women walking around in white dresses.

Here are two ladies: they are Mother and daughter - wearing matching blue dresses!  This is Sister Vula (L) and Sister Talei (R)

Here are some people from our branch in Savusavu - they are at District Conference -

Here is a picture from Christmas - we had these red dresses and ties made for our Christmas festivities.

Christmas outfits - me and Elder Tamasese

Flowers in Church

Every week, no matter where we go to church whether it's in Savusavu or Nabua or Tukavesi or Rabi we get to see beautiful flower arrangements in the chapel.

These are always made by some member of the branch and it is always so beautiful to see what arrangements they make with the flowers they find in their own backyards.

THE FLOWERS ARE SO BEAUTIFUL HERE IN FIJI!

Awesome Baptism!

So, we had a really cool baptism in a little village called Nabua.  It was just awesome!  It was of a little 12 year old boy named Tevita.  He was baptized in the Ocean and we had to walk about 10 minutes just to get to the right place - once there, people stood all around on different rocks in the water.  

It was super cool.  

Best part was the Elder who baptized Tevita was a kid named Sailosa who is awaiting his mission call.  Can't wait to find out where he will be serving.

This is YM Meeting - pretty good place to hold a meeting, huh?

Hospital Signage

Here are a few signs we have noticed while we have been at the hospital helping perspective missionaries do their medical and dental work.  We thought they were kind of funny so we wanted to post them. 

This first one is the Dentist fees.  I think I paid too much for my dental work in America!

This next one is called "S N A P"  I thought it was very helpful to keep my life healthy.

And this last one... Bob might have needed it while he was still working and driving many hours each day, but now that we are in Fiji, I'm happy to say he is "Stress Free" (or at least getting there!)

FIJI SUVA MISSION CHALLENGE

At Zone Conference last week we were given a challenge by our Mission President, President Higgins.  It's a Book of Mormon challenge.  

We were to start on February 8th and read for 60 days ending on April 8th.  We were also given a book mark that shows everyday where our reading should be.

The part of the challenge I really like is we got a new paperback Book of Mormon and were told to take two different colored marking pencils and mark 2 things:

1)  Mark each reference to Jesus Christ (any of His names or pronouns referring to Him

2)  Mark His words (spoken by Him or by prophets when they say: "Thus saith the Lord"

And then at the end of the challenge (April 8th) we are to have a Mission wide fast about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and to read Moroni 10:3-5

The reason I'm putting this in the blog is because I have been doing this for a few days now and I LOVE IT!  It really changes things, the way you read, comprehension, etc.... when you read with a purpose.

If you feel so inclined, I would encourage all my family and friends to do the same challenge.  It's only 60 days, and then read Moroni 10:3-5 and see if your testimony has been strengthened by reading this book.